What Can I See And Do In Slovenia's Lake Bled Region And How Can I Get There?

Lake Bled, located in western Slovenia, is a small lake, with a tiny island in the middle, surrounded by the Julian Alps. With a castle overlooking the lake and a small church in the middle of the lake's only island, this area is a well-known tourist attraction in East/Central Europe, but remains largely undiscovered by Western visitors.

Lake Bled is only about a one hour drive from Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital city, and there are several daily bus routes connecting the capital to this region. During top tourist season, buses leave the capital every hour. It is also possible to reach the area by train. Trains stop at the Lesce Bled station, which is located about 5km from Bled.

Upon arrival, most tourists will first visit the Bled Castle and enjoy a remarkable view of the Alps and the lake. The first towers of the castle were built during the Middle Ages. There is a small museum located in the castle, a souvenir shop, as well as a luxury restaurant.

It is also possible to access the small island in the middle of Lake Bled by renting a canoe, or taking a gondola. The tower of the Sv Marija Bozja Church rises far above the island and the church is visible from every angle and from all mountains around the lake. The church was built in 1747, although a church has stood on these grounds since circa 1142.  The present church's tower stands at 54m. Most people visit the island as part of a group tour.